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When I got home that evening, there were so many things I wanted to talk to Myra about, but when I kissed her hello, she seemed stressed, and rightfully so. The usual spark in her eyes was more of a flicker. Her cheeks weren’t as peach. She was quiet, but her brows were bunched and obviously deep in thought.
Math weeks were her least favorite, and now she was behind.
I admired how even though she didn’t enjoy all her course work, she didn’t give up. I hated to admit it, but our upbringing probably enhanced the way we disciplined ourselves when we felt something was important. We were familiar with duty.
Whether it was good or bad, she was doing the work. So much work.
There was no way I could avoid talking to her about how my day had gone and all the things that happened, but they could wait until after her class.
I wanted to let her get that out of the way first. Seemed like the polite thing to do, especially since the cabin smelled incredible. Something was in the oven and dessert was already cooling on the counter.
I gave her space, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. There would always be days like that.
There was a lot on my mind too.
Like all the other nights when she’d cooked, I cleaned and when I finished wiping down the island, I caught her looking at me across the room. She was bent into the trunk where she kept her sewing things and had pulled out stacks of fabric. But when I noticed her, her eyes were on me.
Guessing what she was thinking had become a game for me, and I tipped my head to match the tilt of hers.
“Something on your mind?”
She pulled her hair out of her face and over to one side. It cascaded through the air beside her in thick, sandy long waves. With her side to me and her hands pressed to the edge of the trunk, her silhouette was teasing, and I swallowed, waiting for her to answer.
“What do you think about doggie style?”
My chest caved, and I coughed, choking on air. When I caught my breath, I asked, “Pardon?” I’d misheard her. My mind was playing dirty tricks.
“Do you know about it?” Casually, she stood, attentive as she waited for me to answer.
“Um, doggie style?” I hesitantly confirmed, all the while scrambling for an appropriate answer.
“When you face the same way instead of each other,” she added for ... clarity? For torture? She was going to kill me.
I will not make her late for class. I will not make her late for class.
“That’s the one.” I scratched my jaw. “Uh ... I’ve never been asked that before. Sorry. Caught me off guard.”
Thankfully there was a stationary island and a table and chairs between us because I’d much rather show her what I thought of it. I’d never met another person who had the ability to blindside me with mere words like Myra did.
“Is it worth trying?” she asked.
My stomach was tight below my pounding chest. “Yeah, we can try that sometime.”
She nodded. “I’ve read and heard good things about it, and I’ve really liked everything else we’ve done.”
Praise the Lord.
What man wouldn’t want to hear that?
“So have I.”
She shifted her weight to one hip. “Good. I think I’d like to give it a shot.” Her face looked both hopeful and curious, which couldn’t have been more relatable. I had to remind myself this was all new to her, and at least she was brave enough to talk about it. Everyone had insecurities, and even though hers were unfounded, I appreciated that she trusted me with them.
Where vulnerability made so many others weak, it made Myra brazen and boldly honest, albeit unexpectedly.
If she needed reassurance, I’d always give it to her. She never failed to mince words with me, so I’d offer her the same respect.
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what to say. Hell, just talking with her about sex had been one of the best parts of my day.
She grinned and some of the tension fell from her shoulders as she respired. Her voice was persuasive as she continued, “Good. So if you want me to try something for you—in return—I will.”
What kind of creature did I have on my hands? Did she just negotiate with me to bend her over?
How was it possible that Heaven could be better than Earth, especially with her here?
What a woman.
“You won’t owe me for that. I’ll gladly give you whatever you want. No compensation needed.”
“Okay, good. Now, I need to deal with this stuff.”
How could she talk about sexual positions in one breath and then casually move on?
Her mind was fascinating.
Kneeling, she gathered the fabric from the floor and kicked the lid shut before she plopped them on top of it. “I’m going to need more thread. What time is it?”
Glancing at the stove, I read out loud. “Five after five.”
“I think I have time. I can make it to Hobby Lobby before class.”
And then, just like that, she scurried to the closet for a new jacket she’d bought a week earlier and the tiny blue purse that fit around her wrist. As she rounded the counter, swiping her keys from the basket, she offered me a kiss goodbye.
“There’s a chicken casserole in the oven. I’ll eat later. See you in a few hours,” she said.
“Be careful.”
She rose onto her toes and planted her warm lips against mine a second time and held them there a little longer until she hummed and pulled away. “I will.” On the way to the door she slipped the strap of her backpack over her shoulder.
She’d gently breezed into my life, but that woman was building into one hell of a whirlwind.
And I loved every second of it.
#
I WAS LEAVING SUNDAY and there were things I needed to do around the house to make being there alone easier for Myra. As November knocked at our door, it was hard to say if the weather would stay mild and cool like it had been or if a cold snap would hit and dump an early snow. I’d seen it both ways but erred on the side of caution and restacked the woodpile at the edge of the front porch and brought in a few loads, piling them near the woodstove in the living room. The cabin’s furnace worked well, but the woodstove was perfect for quickly taking the chill out of the air.
Regardless, she’d have options.
Myra was industrious and didn’t shy away from work. Hell, she didn’t back down from any task put in front of her. Like me, she swept through chores, and before I knew it, I’d finished the few things I’d thought of to help her after only an hour.
I’d missed church on Sunday, and for all the many things banging around in my head, I thought maybe catching the mid-week service wouldn’t be such a bad idea. It wasn’t that I had many decisions to make, mainly just the one about the building, but there was just a lot of moving parts in my life, spinning in different directions and speeds. If I wasn’t careful, they’d easily get away from me.
Maybe it was all the chaos. Maybe not. Regardless, after a quick shower I headed to church.